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Resources

The GST network aims to fill persistent information gaps in understanding the importance of gender and social inclusion issues within trade and investment policy making and programming. The GST network has developed an initial database of knowledge products to be discussed, shared and disseminated which can be filtered by category, as outlined below. This is a living database that will be updated as new materials become available. If there is something you would like added to the database, please do not hesitate to let us know.

As a basic resource, we refer you to the GST Glossary of Trade and Gender terms. It includes key terms used in trade as well as gender policies and negotiations.

Training resources: Entries include actual course materials for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes that address gender equality in international trade. UNCTAD is the main but not the only provider of training materials.

Background materials: Wide range of briefing materials, substantive analytical studies and access to data on the relation between trade and gender equality assisting those seeking a deeper understanding of the justification for and challenges to formulating and implementing gender and trade policies.

Development organisations: Mission statements or objectives in respect of gender equality as defined by intergovernmental international, multilateral, or regional organisations engaged in making or advising on policies for economic development.

Associations and NGOs: Selected civil society organisations’ positions on GESI and trade, information on the main global and regional networks and international NGOs motivated by gender equality as a rights-based concern in the field of trade, and information on international business associations which seek to promote women’s small and medium scale engagement in international trading.

Organization
Content
Comments
WTO
European Union
FAO
Is for government officials private sector participants and researchers interested in WTO and regional agreements on agriculture.
UNCTAD
Argues for both ex ante assessments and inclusion of gender equality trade instruments.
World Customs Organization
Looks inward into gender equality employment conditions within the WCO itself and for outward-facing services by customs officials.
UNIDO
Covers all stages of industrial capacity building projects (design, training, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) special reference to quality infrastructure and product certification processes for trading internationally.
Government of Canada
A set of training and guidance materials for officials on requirements for implementing Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy in different domains.
WB - Community of Practice (CoP) for Finance Ministers on Gender Equality
Created to meet demand from a number of finance ministers for a southern-led dialogue on how to make finance ministry tools more effective in supporting women’s and girls’ opportunities.
UNCTAD Virtual Institute Teaching Material on trade and gender
The Trade Gender and Development Programme is organizing a new edition of its online course on trade and gender.
WTO
FAO
Most recent comprehensive overview of the topic.
ITC
Guidance on how trade and investment support organisations can better support gender equity. ITC is the international agency formed jointly by WTO and UNCTAD to promote practical interventions to support trade expansion.
UNCTAD
UNCTAD
Lays out the data requirements for using the four-stage gender Toolbox for national gender analyses and ex-ante gender assessments of new trade agreements.
European Parliament
European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)
Provides expertise and technical support on a diverse range of gender-related topics including replicating monitoring methods and tools used in the EU and a guide to further resources.
FAO
Is for project planners and managers.
UNCTAD
Presents a framework to assess ex-ante the impact of trade reforms on women and gender inequalities. The methodology is applied to a specific trade agreement, the EPA between the EU and the East African Community (EAC), for the case of Kenya focussing on changes in employment.
FAO
Included as an example of a guidebook to the kind of 'beyond the border' measures required to reduce gendered structural inequalities in rural economies.
Ethical Trade Initiative
ETI is a public-private membership organisation of governments and businesses engaged in international supply chains. Material is mainly intended for managers engaged in supply chains but also useful for governments and researchers.
UNCTAD Virtual Institute Teaching Material on trade and gender
The Trade Gender and Development Programme is organizing a new edition of its online course on trade and gender.
European Parliament
WTO/OMC
WTO/OMC
WTO/OMC
DFID/UKAid
ITC SheTrades
Global Affairs Canada
Inter American Development Bank (IADB)
UNWomen
Enquiries on gender and trade are referred to the work of UNCTAD.
UNCTAD
UNCTAD supports member countries in integrating gender considerations in their trade policy formulation, implementation and in the negotiation of agreements on trade and other issues at the multilateral, regional and bilateral levels.
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
African Union - Women Gender and Development (WGDD)
World Bank Group
Gender and Trade are two large work programmes of the World Bank. However, there is minimal overlap or interaction between the two. Thus, under Global Value Chains links are given to official publications, training and capacity building activities etc, but there is no mention of promoting gender equality.
WTO
Gender and trade is a recent addition to the WTO secretariat work programme but now a substantial programme of work with a gender focal point (trade-gender@wto.org).
ITC
The ITC's SheTrades is a platform that aims to stimulate economic benefits for businesswomen by involving them in international trade. The SheTrades initiative is the main programme intervention.
APEC
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific. APEC aims to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.
ESCAP
European Union
The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth is an intergovernmental body with 54 member countries.
World Bank Group
Gender and Trade are two large work programmes of the World Bank. However, there is minimal overlap or interaction between the two. Thus under Global Value Chains links are given to an official publication, training and capacity building activities etc, but there is no mention of promoting gender equality.
European Commission - DG DEVCO
ITC
The ITC is an international body set up jointly by the WTO and UNCTAD to support practical interventions to increase global trade. ITC’s Women and Trade Programme aims to increase the economic benefits for businesswomen in developing countries by involving them in international trade.
International Labour Organisation
Brings together governments employers and workers of 187 member States to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
UNECA
African Development Bank (AfDB)
ECLAC/CEPAL
WIDE+ Trade and Gender Working Group
ProChile
European Commission - DG TRADE
WTO/OMC
ECLAC/CEPAL
ECLAC publication launched on the occasion of the Regional Conference on Women in January 2020
House of Commons - International Trade Committee
Wide+ Working Group Gender and Trade
Is a European feminist network of women’s rights advocates, gender specialists, women’s rights organizations and development NGOs. Monitors EU trade policy from a feminist perspective.
BPW International (International Federation of Business and Professional Women)
The current international theme of the organization is “Empowering Women to Realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. BPW International is one of the most influential international networks of business and professional women with. Has consultative status at various UN bodies.
Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN)
FWEAN is an apex body of Women Entrepreneurs’ Associations in Nepal (WEAN). Focal point for interaction not only with the government but also various national and international organizations and stakeholders.
Gender and Development Network (GADN)
GADN brings together NGOs, consultants, academics and individuals committed to working on gender development and women’s rights issues. Global outreach.
International Gender Champions (IGC)
Is a leadership network comprising heads of International Organizations, Permanent Missions and Civil Society Organizations who are determined to make gender equality a working reality in their spheres of influence. It in Geneva (July 2015).
Asia Pacific Forum on Women Law and Development
APWLD is a member of the Gender and Trade Coalition. Accepts organisational and individual members. APWLD developed from dialogues among women lawyers, social scientists and activists from Asia Pacific.
International Gender Champions Trade Impact Working Group
International Gender Champions initiated the WTO 2017 Declaration on women and trade. The Working Group pursues the objectives of the IGC in the field of trade policy.
Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE)
Closed network of Gender Focal Points in United Nations offices, specialized agencies funds and programmes. Chaired by UN Women. UN Women also serves as the Secretariat for the Network.
International Women's Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC)
Global Non-for-Profit Organization to support successful midsize women-owned businesses gain and expand access into international markets.
Women inside Trade
Dialogue and networking group. Directed at international trade community and giving visibility to women's achievement in international trade.
tralac Women in Trade Governance Network
WiTG targets female professionals working in trade policy and governance with the aim to build technical capacity in international trade governance to support professional skills development and to enhance women’s participation in trade governance across the continent.
Red de género y comercio
Is a Latin American regional initiative includes women interested in the differential effects of economic policies and trade agreements and role of corporations and other economic and social actors. It connects with other women's organizations in favor of policies that promote economic justice and gender equity.
Action Aid UK
Action Aid promotes women's and girls rights in 3 areas: violence against women, economic empowerment and humanitarian support.
Gender and Trade Coalition
A 200 member coalition to put forward feminist trade analysis and advocate for equitable trade policy. It seeks to shape a trade justice agenda as an alternative to the neo-liberal trade framework.
World Association of Women Entrepreneurs (FCEM)
Comprises member affiliate and observer organizations in over forty countries. It aims at promoting women's entrepreneurial initiatives and reinforcing national associations of women business owners.
Ethical Trade Initiative
Is a multi-party initiative between the UK government, private companies, NGOs and labour unions all working to promote CSR objectives in respect of gender, Global Value Chains trading and employment conditions etc.
Gender and Trade Coalition
Formed in the aftermath of the 2017 WTO Declaration in order to put forward feminist trade analysis and advocate for equitable trade policy. Steering Group has 14 organisational members. Global outreach.
Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL)
Supports women entrepreneurs through the provision of business development services and advocating for enabling environments that meet the specific needs of women in Uganda.
Association of Women in International Trade (WIIT)
It works to promote the professional development of women in international trade and business and to raise public awareness of the importance of international trade to economic development. Individual and corporate memberships.
The Eastern African Sub-Regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI)
Sub-regional non-profit organisation that strengthens the capacity of women and civil society organisations in governance, leadership, economic empowerment, policy advocacy initiatives and peace and security. Member organizations in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia.
Women in Informal Employment (WIEGO)
A long-standing influential global action-research-policy network of individuals and institutions. Seeks to increase the voice and visibility of informal workers especially women at local, national and global levels. Works especially in focal cities: Accra, Lima, Delhi, Mexico City and Dakar.
IWEC Foundation
The IWEC Foundation is a Global Non-for-Profit Organization that Helps Women-Owned Businesses Connect and Grow. Members include businesswomen from 42 countries.
The African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET)
Is a pan- African membership-based feminist network based in Nairobi with over 700 members across 46 African countries. Interest in the economy and regional/continental integration but no specific programme/activities on trade.
Action Aid UK
Action Aid promotes women's and girls rights in 3 areas: violence against women, economic empowerment and humanitarian support. Under empowerment it has published "Gender Just Trade".
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